by Tom Heavey
While the NEC Classic Car Show did not go ahead this year, Silverstone Auctions, who normally run a superb auction at the event, went ahead and held their final sale of the year in the form of a live online auction. An impressive 78% sales rate was achieved over the two-day sale, with total sales of eight million pounds, showing that there’re no Covid or Brexit fears in the hobby, which remains very buoyant. Records were being broken from early on day one of the auction, with a 1988 Porsche 928SE – one of just 42 UK RHD cars when new, and with only 10,325 miles on the clock – setting a new world record of £129,375 for this model.
Another really low-mileage car was a 1980 Volkswagen Golf Mk1 GLD with only 738 miles on the clock, which was sold for £15,570. But, surely one of the highlights of day one had to be in the automobilia section (of which 88% was sold), and this was the sale of a private registration number O 10; offered for sale for the first time since 1902, it sold for an incredible £128,800.
On day two the first car was to be sold by TV celebrity Mike Brewer, who took to the rostrum to assist with the sale of a 1995 Rover Mini Cooper Monte Carlo. This car was being auctioned in support of the Sporting Bears Motor Club and was sold for an impressive £37,125, all of which will go to the charity.
This was to set the tone for the day, with some eye-opening prices being achieved including £337,500 for a 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 rally car, £382,500 for a 1980 BMW M1 and £166,500 for a 1953 Alfa Romeo 1900 Speciale, which was double its estimate.
Nick Whale, Silverstone Auctions Managing Director, commented: “This is another great result for Silverstone Auctions. We have had a great year after quickly adapting to ensure we could safely operate during the global pandemic. The Live Online format is safe for everyone involved: our vendors, buyers and, of course, the team.”
Silverstone Auctions are now preparing for 2021 and their first sale of the year, The Race Retro Live Online Auction. Both classic and competition cars are now invited – get in touch with the team on 0044 (0)1926 691141 to submit your entry for the sale, which takes place on the 26th and 27th of February 2021.